The Best Festivals & Events in Aruba This Year

For over seven decades, Arubans have donned vibrant costumes and taken to the streets to celebrate their annual Carnival at the beginning of the year. Spanning nearly two months and ending just before Lent, Aruba’s Carnival is the island’s most anticipated event, featuring boisterous parades, lively music competitions, electrifying street parties that stretch into the early hours and the crowning of the Carnival Queen.

The season kicks off in early January with calypso tunes and road march music filling the air. Festivities build up to the Grand Parade in Oranjestad, typically held on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. The celebration concludes with the Burning of King Momo, a symbolic farewell to the Carnival season, just before Lent begins.

The Flip Flop Festival is a vibrant celebration that brings together locals and visitors on one of Aruba’s beautiful beaches. The festival features an eclectic mix of music genres, including soca, reggae, dembow and more, with performances by both local and international artists. Attendees can enjoy live music, dance and a variety of food and beverage options, all set against the backdrop of Aruba’s stunning coastline. ​

After a six-year hiatus, the Flip Flop Festival made a triumphant return in 2024, with the event held on June 1. The festival was exceptionally well-organized, featuring a variety of food trucks and well-stocked bars that kept attendees satisfied. The event was presented by Chill Beer, Elite Empire Entertainment and other local sponsors, and featured performances by artists such as KES The Band, Angel Dior and local bands like Tsunami and Mystical Connection.

Every year on the Fourth of July, Aruba celebrates the USA Independence Day with events and fireworks shows taking place around the island. It might not be as spectacular as in the US, but if you want to go on vacation and still celebrate this special day, Aruba is the place to be. American chain hotels like Marriott, Hyatt and Divi host their own celebrations with colorful fireworks lighting up the night sky, offering their visitors a spectacular show. Ask your hotel if it plans on organizing an event for the Fourth of July beforehand. But even if it doesn’t, you can still celebrate with locals on the beach—Palm Beach and Eagle Beach have the best views of the fireworks.

Like almost every place around the world, Aruba holds its own celebrations during Halloween. And if you can’t imagine how this sun-drenched island becomes a spooky place to match Halloween’s spirit, wait until you find yourself on the island in October. Frightening monsters, daunting ghosts and grotesque zombies take over the island’s beaches while the well-polished hotels and resorts transform into haunted places. Themed Halloween parties take place in several beaches around the island like MooMba Beach in Noord, De Promenade of San Nicolas and at Varadero Aruba Marina in Oranjestad. Little ones will have plenty of opportunities to go “Trick or Treating” as most hotels and resorts organize special events for the family’s “little monsters.”

The Aruba Hi-Winds Tournament is the Caribbean’s main watersports event, attracting both amateur and professional windsurfers and kitesurfers to the island’s picturesque beaches. Traditionally held at Fisherman’s Huts in Noord, this five-day festival showcases thrilling competitions in various disciplines, including windsurfing, kitesurfing, wing foiling, kite foiling, windsurf foiling, sunfish sailing and mountain biking.

Participants can compete in events such as slalom races, long-distance courses and freestyle competitions. The festival also offers a fun atmosphere for spectators, with beach chic fashion shows, live concerts and beach parties that liven up the shores of Fisherman’s Huts Beach. Additionally, interactive activities like a Kids Corner and local games such as dominoes provide entertainment for attendees of all ages.​

Bon Bini, folklore music and dance festival takes place every Tuesday at Fort Zoutman in the heart of Oranjestad. This weekly event aims to introduce Caribbean culture to the island’s visitors as well as entertain locals. Aruban dancers dressed in traditional costumes along with local bands playing road march and calypso tunes get visitors into the island’s vibrant vibe and present the region’s history and customs. Bon Bini Festival resembles Aruba Carnival but, trust us, it can’t compare to the real experience. The show starts at 7:00 pm and lasts for an hour and a half.

The Aruba International Regatta is an exciting annual sailing event that attracts competitors and spectators from around the world. Taking place over a weekend, the regatta features spectacular races with yachts, catamarans, sunfish and windsurfing competitions in the island’s turquoise waters. Surfside Beach becomes a lively gathering spot where visitors can enjoy the thrilling action, music and local festivities.

Since its inception, the regatta has grown into a major event in Aruba’s sailing community, welcoming participants from North and South America, Europe and the Caribbean. While traditionally held in August, recent editions have taken place in June, with dates varying each year. For the latest updates on event schedules and participation details, visitors can check official Aruba tourism sources or the Aruba Regatta website.